1What to expect...In The Soul of Harry Potter, students will consider some of the classical, medieval, and literary roots of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Engaging chapters from each of the seven books, we will face grindylows, encounter boggarts, confound the Dark Lord, and learn about friendship as we contemplate what fiction can offer faith.

Students who successfully complete The Soul of Harry Potter will: 1. Hear and discuss resonances between Rowling's stories and Christian gospel.2. Read and discuss Harry Potter in light of selected contemporary social issue(s).3. Understand and enact plot development through play.4. Identify and discuss strategies for structuring story. 5. Speak an original story into existence. 6. Consider and discuss what fiction offers faith.

FANTASY LITERATURE: THE SOUL OF HARRY POTTERSu

mmer H

onors Ac

adem

y, 2

015

Instructor:

Chris RosserMLIS, MDivTheological Librarian

chris.rosser@oc.edu

For the scholar, theseeker, the servant

OC is home.

2Monday Harry and the Hero StoryHomework: Read Black (2003);In 100-200 words, describe one example of the heros journey in HP Book 1.

TuesdayPiercing the Serpent: Cosmic Conquest and and the Power of SacrificeHomework: Read Granger, ch. 3; In 100-200 words, compare and contrast Harrys story with Jesus story.

Tuesday PM: Performing Plot through PlayField exercise; instructions provided in class

WednesdayThe Soul Triptych of Harry Potter Homework: Read Mogg and Tully (2012);In 100-200 words, describe whether or not you think Harry could have done it by himself.

ThursdayFiction's Light on Real Problems Homework: Read Ostry (2003);In 100-200 words, describe an example of how Rowlings stories grapple with social issues.

FridayWord Become Flesh: Speaking Stories into ExistenceIn our final class together, we will create our own version of Harry Potter fan-fiction...

Whats expected...SO

UL O

F HA

RRY

POTT

ER Sum

mer 2

015

If you have to ask, you will never know. If you know, you need only ask.

Helena Ravenclaw

See bibliography at the tail of this syllabus for full citation of readings.

Important note: There are no required texts for this course. Readings are supplied. Students are

expected to have familiarity with the entire Harry Potter book series, which can be inexpensively and readily obtained (free from your local library!) Lugging all seven

books to class each day is not necessary, unless you have a bag like Hermione.

3Communication & Office Policies

Email and PhoneThe best way to contact your instructor is by email. Whenever possible, your instructor will respond within 24 hrs. of receiving an email message. Do not wait until the "last minute" (e.g. just before class time) to send an email and expect an immediate answer or that the instructor even received the message. Please include a meaningful, yet succinct subject line. Students may call the instructor on his office phone (see page 1 of syllabus). If unavailable, you are encouraged to leave a voicemail message including your name and the reason for your call.

Office HoursStudents should feel free to stop by the instructors office for consultation. In the summer, I do not necessarily keep specific office hours. It is best to email or call in advance to make an appointment to ensure that the instructor will be available.

Absences and Late Work

The discipline of completing work on time is an important lesson to master. All deliverables are due on the date assigned. In the event of late work, the student must notify the instructor of his or her impending lateness and excuse prior to the due date of the deliverable. Acceptance of late work is at the discretion of the instructor. Good communication with instructors is important; we encourage students to contact their instructor if they know that an assignment will be late.

Again, good communication with your instructor is vital, and I encourage you to contact me if you are unable to participate in a discussion board forum or miss an assignment due to a prolonged emergency situation.

Closings and Emergencies

In the case class cancellation or campus closure for inclement weather or emergencies, students will be notified via email and Blackboard announcement. Please expect that some work will be moved online (e.g., an extra discussion board session, video content from instructor, etc.) to make up for lost seat time.In case of an emergency, faculty, staff, and students who have signed up for OC Campus Messenger (oc.edu/notify) will be notified by text, email, or Twitter. If the emergency occurs during class, the instructor will inform the students present of the appropriate procedures.

Laptop/Handheld/Phone Policy

You are strongly encouraged to use your laptops or handheld device in the class for the purpose of learning. If you are abusing this privilege then you may be forced to revert to more ancient technologies.Put your phones on silent/vibrate. You may not take calls during class unless it is an emergency. In such cases, please leave the room for your conversation.Keep your laptops running well! Visit support.oc.edu for technology help, including free software downloads for graduate students.

Americans with Disabilities Act

If you have a diagnosed disability and need special accommodations, please notify Ms. Katy Roybal (425-1876) before or immediately after your first scheduled class meeting. After your disability has been verified, your instructor will work with you, with Ms. Roybal, and with the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in this course.

SOUL

OF HA

RRY

POTT

ER Sum

mer 2

015 Policies...Policies...

4Academic HonestyCheating: Cheating on an examination, assignment, roll sheet or other course related work or activities undermines the ethics of the academy and the specific Christian purposes of Oklahoma Christian University. Accordingly, students who cheat on examinations, assignments or other course related work or activities will face serious consequences, as outlined in this policy.

Plagiarism: One particular form of cheating is plagiarism. Plagiarism is the transmission of anothers ideas, words, or materials as ones own and/or the failure to credit accurately the ideas, words, or materials of another. Plagiarism also includes passing off anothers work (a friend, a parent, a website) as ones own. Plagiarism undermines the ethics of the academy and the specific Christian purposes of Oklahoma Christian University. Accordingly, students who engage in plagiarism in assignments submitted will face serious consequences, as outlined in this policy.

Penalties for Academic Dishonesty

On the first offense, the student will receive zero (0) credit for the examination or assignment. For forms of cheating or dishonesty other than on examinations or assignments, the Professor shall have the discretion to impose an appropriate penalty. Professors must send documentation of the first offense to the appropriate chair, the dean of the appropriate college, the VPAA, and the Dean of Students.On the second offense in the same course, the student will receive an F in the course. Professors must send documentation of the second offense to the appropriate chair, the dean of the appropriate college, the VPAA, and the Dean of Students.At either the first offense or second offense, the student may appeal using the process described in both the OC Student Handbook and the OC Academic Policy Manual covering Grade Appeals.If the student commits offenses in two or more courses, the Academic Appeals Committee, described in the OC Student Handbook and in the OC Academic Policy Manual, may assign penalties for academic dishonesty in addition to the penalties assigned by the professors in the courses. The Academic Appeals Committee may impose penalties

up to and including suspension from the University in instances where a student has engaged in cheating or plagiarism in two or more courses. The Academic Appeals Committee will inform the VPAA and the Dean of Students in writing of any penalties imposed by it and will report annually on its activities to the Universitys Academic Affairs Committee.

Professors should maintain the highest standards of academic honesty both in and out of the classroom. Professors must report and apply the rules regarding cheating/plagiarism to the appropriate channels. The student should be referred to the Oklahoma Christian University Covenant for principles which should guide conduct in these matters.

SOUL

OF HA

RRY

POTT

ER Sum

mer 2

015 Policies...

5Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy (Title IX)

Oklahoma Christian University is a Christian community that has committed itself, unequivocally, to ensuring a working and learning environment in which the dignity of every individual is respected and a campus environment that is free of unlawful harassment, which includes sexual assault or misconduct. OCs Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy (see the OC Student Handbook) is compliant with Title IX, which states, No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Discriminatory and sexual harassment is unchristian and uncivil behavior. It is a breach of community, which expresses disrespect, exploits and undermines relationships based on trusts, and interferes with learning and productive work.

Students are encouraged to immediately seek available assistance and report incidents of harassment to either the Title IX Coordinator or one of the Title IX Deputy Coordinators listed below:

Title IX Coordinator Ms. Tamie Willis 405.425.5320 tamie.willis@oc.edu

Title IX Deputy Coordinator Student Services

Ms. Summer Lashley 405.425.5908 summer.lashley@oc.edu

Title IX Deputy Coordinator Housing

Mr. John Ortiz 405.425.5932 john.ortiz@oc.edu

Title IX Deputy Coordinator Athletics

Ms. Stephanie Findley 405.425.5355 stephanie.findley@oc.edu

Students have access to confidential services through the Counseling Center and the Mercy Clinic.

OC Counseling Center 405.425.5250

Mercy Clinic 405.425.6100 2810 E. Memorial Rd., Suite 140

Copyright 2015 by Oklahoma Christian University.

SOUL

OF HA

RRY

POTT

ER Sum

mer 2

015

Policies...

6Bibliography of Readings:Black, Sharon. 2003. "The Magic of Harry Potter: Symbols and Heroes of Fantasy." Children's Literature In Education 34, no. 3: 237-247.

Granger, John. 2004. Looking for God in Harry Potter. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale.

Mogg, Jennifer A., and Kendra Tully. 2012. "Harry Gets by With a Little Help from His Friends: An Aristotelian Reading of Virtue and Friendship in Harry Potter." Reason Papers 34, no. 1: 77-88.

Ostry, Elaine. 2003. Accepting mudbloods: The ambivalent social vision of J. K. Rowlings fairy tales. In Reading Harry Potter, ed. Giselle Liza Anatol, 89-101. Westport, CT: Praeger.

Image Credits: Mossclaw, Harry, Ron, Hermione Dobby Illustration - hplexicon.org Ghost - Harry Potter Wiki

Olga Baraeva, 2d5e422e0040 Stardust Soul, Harry Potter commission

SOUL

OF HA

RRY

POTT

ER Sum

mer 2

015

OCs Mission: Oklahoma Christian

University is a higher learning community that transforms lives for Christian faith,

scholarship, and service.

Fuller bibliography of select resources for Harry Potter studies will be provided in class.